Page 6 of My Bloody Valentine

It isn’t fair. It just isn’t fair. But then, I came here tonight with just one desire, and like it or not, he’s fulfilling that wish. I only hope I don’t lose myself in all of this. Men like him will come and go, and so I have to keep myself sane and strong. Just to make sure I don’t end up a fool again.

What Grant did was unspeakable, but I was innocent in that I had no idea he’d pull such a stunt. This, however, is all my doing. If I get burnt, I’ll only have myself to blame.

The problem is part of me wants to get burned. I want to see what it feels like to actually let myself go, to force myself to be open to another person. And as this man sweeps his tongue into my mouth, I want nothing more than to be a pile of ashes at his feet.

CHAPTER 4

Rory

I stare down at the girl, my cock pulsing at the indecision warring in her eyes. Though I could push the issue and compel her to drink, I don’t think I will. There’s something titillating about the idea of playing with someone not under the influence of our hallucinogenic drugs.

It’s forbidden, taboo, and if Luka ever finds out, he’ll probably drive a stake through my heart and let me rot for a few centuries. Only to revive me and stake me all over. But for her, for this one taste, I might defy any and everyone.

There’s something about her that tugs at me. Obviously, there’s a story here. Women don’t just dress up in a wedding dress and traipse around New York City on Valentine’s Day. Then again… It is New York City. Perhaps it’s some artistic expression?

But that can’t be it. My gut tells me there’s something more. A jilted bride is where I’ll place my money, and I’m not usually a betting man. There’s an anger about her, an air of fury that’s nearly undetectable. Yet, it calls to me like a siren’s song.

I want to devour this woman, to suck her dry, taking in all those volatile emotions I feel humming under the surface of her skin. Unable to resist, I lower my lips again, needing to taste that hint of innocence that lurks.

She’s not a stranger to sex. At least that’s what her body tells me. However, she holds herself back, restrains herself in a way I’ve only felt when bedding virgins. Interesting.

All of these little puzzle pieces lay scattered about, yet none of them seem to make an entire picture. Pulling away, I note the way her breath hitches. Longing dances about in her eyes. But she still holds back.

I wonder what will make her guard drop. Such a fascinating thing to think through. Lips splitting into a grin, I keep my fangs hidden. No sense frightening her yet. I’ll play with her, give her the best night she’s ever hoped to have, then wipe her memories.

As long as it’s just her and I, I have the strength to erase anything unnatural about me while leaving the pleasure still humming about in her brain. Which means, I can’t bring her into the main room. Only someone as powerful as Luka can erase all of that, and I dare not tell him I took her in there without being under the influence of a Fallen Angel.

Last year was already too close a call for comfort. Though it was a freak accident, something our Bratva Commander forgave, something tells me if it happens again, he won’t be nearly as obliging. No. I’ll have to take her somewhere else, somewhere private.

“Tell me, is the alcove still available?” Marissa, the bartender, leans over to look at the screens hidden under the counter.

“It is.”

“I would like to reserve it.”

She glances through some sheets of paper, something that looks so innocuous to a human, yet I know she’s accounting for every vampire that’s in this club and underground. “You may have it for one hour. There’s a standing reservation. Make sure to clean up after yourselves or flag down a staff member to do so.”

As if I’d be stupid enough to fling her blood about the place. That’s not at all what I have in mind. True, most of the time, vampires will choose the alcove if they plan on actually killing their prey, but for me, it’s merely the convenience of having her to myself without having to force drugs down her throat.

Granted, there’s always the option of slathering it on my dick and getting it into her mouth that way… But still, no matter how I look at it, I want her uninebriated. I want to know the passion she feels is real. For some reason, I need that this year.

I’m tired of bedding women who do not have the coherency to even cry out my name in the heat of sex. No. This year will be different. Even if I have to die for it, it will be different.

Nodding, I take the woman by the hand and lead her toward the back of the restaurant. Instead of taking the long slope down to the club, I turn at the false wall and go down another small hallway. Doors line either side, most of them for administrative purposes.

However, the one at the very end is the one I want. Next to me, the mystery woman grows uneasy. I can feel it surrounding her like a second skin. For most men, normal men, if they felt that, they’d back off.

But not me. I’ve grown too accustomed to being a monster that her fear arouses me even more. I don’t want to wait until we get to the room. Desperation claws at my insides, forcing my fangs to descend. I want her now, and I want her hard.

Keeping myself in check, I force one foot in front of the other, leading us to her doom. So close. Just a few more feet. Just two more. Just one. The moment my fingers curl around the knob, my cock surges up, jerking against my tight pants.

“Welcome to hell,” I whisper, opening the door, revealing the room to her.

Like the gentleman I purport to be, I let her go inside first. But chivalry has nothing to do with this. I watch the curve of her ass as she walks forward. I study every line of her body, debating what to do to her first.

Just one step in, however, and she freezes, her body growing rigid. “I don’t understand. I thought we were going to have sex.”

Oh, the poor, naïve, little human. “We are,” I breathe against the top of her head as I pull her back against my front. “But we are going to have a little fun first. You’re not afraid, are you?” I taunt, running my lips down the column of her neck.